A Story in a Drink

Elmer T Lee Single Barrel Bourbon

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon. Named after the master distiller of Buffalo Trace, whom has sadly passed away July this year (July 16th 2013), this tasting is a paying tribute to a true father of single barrel bourbon. American distillers have tried to bottle single barrel bourbon (in Scotland, called Single Cask) in the past but have been unsuccessful due to lack of appetite. Elmer changed that with the introduction of the Blanton’s Single Barrel that turned the market around completely. After retirement in 1984, Buffalo Trace honoured Elmer with his own single-barrel brand called Elmer T. Lee Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey whom Elmer has selected himself for bottling.

The aroma has a lot vanilla, fruit cake, sherry, raisins, dark honey and cinnamon. A very appetizing aroma to the palate too.

whiskytale: Upon touching the mouth, it’s feels like an Olympic figure skater dancing all over your tongue. it’s creamy and leathery but graceful, and it rolls over gently whilst displaying some beautiful acrobatic flavours such as fruit cake, toffee and vanilla.

You be fooled to think you are drinking a non-blended bourbon, because of the richness of the flavour are non over-bearing. The finish, well it’s a long finish and quite oaky with a subtle lingering bitterness. You be tempted to have another dram to soak the oakiness or you may want to reminiscent.

whiskytale:Four years into the next Olympic, this time you’ve bought yourself front row tickets to see her again and others sport out, because curiosity has gotten the better you and suddenly have an urge to indulge in other single barrel bourbons.